After China launched the third satellite of its Compass Navigation Satellite System (CNSS) on January 17, 2010, Major General Jin Yinan, Head of the Institute of Strategy, National Defense University, stressed the importance for China to have its own Satellite Navigation System. Jin mentioned that as Europe is developing its Galileo System and other counties continue to launch satellites, the most important issue is the competition for the limited space orbit and satellite communication frequencies. China should launch its satellites before others countries can, to obtain the needed orbits and frequencies while they are still available.
“As of today, launching and starting to use the CNSS system, I personally think, is more important than manned space flight and Chang’e moon landing projects.” Jin argued.
Source: People’s Daily, January 22, 2010
http://military.people.com.cn/GB/42969/58520/10825418.html